Learning how to calculate running pace is the fastest way to train smarter and hit your race-day goals. Pace tells you how long it takes to cover one mile or one kilometer, and it is the number every training plan is built around. This guide shows you the simple formula, walks through real examples, and gives you a free pace calculator plus a printable pace chart with finish times for the 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon.
Last updated: July 24, 2026. Pace and speed are two sides of the same measurement: pace is time per distance, speed is distance per time.
How to Calculate Running Pace: Quick Facts
Last updated: July 24, 2026
- Pace formula: total time divided by distance.
- Per mile: divide your minutes by the number of miles.
- Speed: distance divided by time, in mph or kph.
- Example: 3 miles in 27 minutes is a 9:00 per mile pace.
- Fastest way: use our free pace and speed calculator.
The Running Pace Formula
Pace is your total time divided by the distance you ran. To find pace per mile, take your finish time in minutes and divide it by the number of miles. For example, if you run 4 miles in 36 minutes, your pace is 36 divided by 4, which is 9 minutes per mile. To go from pace to speed, divide 60 by your pace in minutes per mile: a 9-minute mile is 60 divided by 9, or about 6.7 miles per hour. The same logic works in kilometers, and the calculator below shows pace per mile, pace per kilometer, and both speeds together.
The Fastest Way: Pace Calculator
Skip the arithmetic with our free Pace Calculator. Enter your distance, choose miles or kilometers, add your finish time, and it instantly returns your pace per mile, pace per kilometer, and speed. It even has quick-pick buttons for the 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon, so you can set a goal pace in seconds.
Goal Pace and Finish Times
| Pace / mile | 5K | 10K | Half | Marathon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | 24:51 | 49:43 | 1:44:53 | 3:29:45 |
| 9:00 | 27:58 | 55:55 | 1:57:59 | 3:55:58 |
| 10:00 | 31:04 | 1:02:08 | 2:11:06 | 4:22:11 |
The printable chart above covers every pace from 6:00 to 12:00 per mile in 15-second steps.
More Free Fitness Tools
- Pace Calculator – running pace and speed for any distance.
- Height Converter – instant cm to feet and inches both ways.
- BMI Calculator – your Body Mass Index in metric or imperial.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Running Pace
How do I calculate my running pace per mile?
Divide your total time in minutes by the number of miles you ran. For example, 27 minutes over 3 miles is a 9-minute-per-mile pace. The calculator does it for you in both miles and kilometers.
What is a good running pace for a beginner?
Many new runners settle around a 10 to 12 minute per mile pace, but a good pace is one you can hold while still able to speak in short sentences. Focus on finishing comfortably before trying to get faster.
How do I turn my pace into a race finish time?
Multiply your pace per mile by the race distance in miles. A 9-minute mile over the 13.1-mile half marathon is about 1 hour 58 minutes. The pace chart above lists finish times for every common distance.
